Peer Abuse
This webpage is designed to support youth workers, staff, and volunteers by providing guidance and additional information on recognising and responding to Peer Abuse.
Background
Peer Abuse is a serious child protection issue that can have lasting impacts on a young person’s safety, wellbeing and development. Youth workers play a vital role in creating safe spaces where young people can build positive relationships and feel supported. Being aware of the dynamics of peer abuse is essential for recognising signs early, responding appropriately, and fulfilling your safeguarding responsibilities. We created this webpage as a place where youth workers and volunteers can learn more about this issue.
You can watch the webinar delivered by NIAPP introducing youth workers to the issue of Peer Abuse and raising awareness of how to recognise and respond to concerns regarding Peer Abuse. You can download and read our resource “When Young People Harm Each Other: supporting youth workers to respond effectively” to learn more about what to do after an allegation has been made and reported to the statutory bodies. This resource includes practical tools and guidance to support youth workers, volunteers and their organisations with responding to this issue, managing risk and ensuring the rights of all young people involved are supported.
We have also included a list of services and supports available and will continue to add to these resources.
Peer Abuse Webinar 2025
On the 1st of April 2025 NYCI’s Child Protection Programme and NIAPP collaborated on an introductory information session designed for youth workers and volunteers to raise awareness on the issue of peer abuse and learn more about the supports available.
The National Interagency Prevention Programme (NIAPP), funded by Tusla, provides support to children and young people who have engaged in problematic, harmful, or abusive behaviour.
NIAPP spoke about peer abuse and discussed interventions and supports available to guide adolescents towards leading abuse free lifestyles as they develop into adulthood. Watch back the discussion and issues raised in the recording below.
Peer Abuse Resource
This resource aims to support youth work organisations to understand peer abuse, how to respond safely and appropriately, and how to manage the complexities that often arise. It provides guidance grounded in a rights-based, trauma-informed approach that acknowledges the needs of young people and the importance of balancing care, accountability, and protection. It offers guidance for developing policy and procedures as well as practical tools to support workers and volunteers to respond to this issue.
Children First Awareness Week 2025 Gallery
Images from Children First Awareness Week in-person Peer Abuse Event which took place at Wood Quay Venue, Dublin on the 17th September 2025 and was attended by a host of youth workers, volunteers and people working in the youth work sector.
Designed By
National Youth Council of Ireland’s National Child Protection Programme.
Contact Us
For further information or if you have any questions please contact the NYCI Child Protection Programme Manager Siobhán Laffey (siobhan@nyci.ie).
If you have any questions or need further information about any of our events, trainings or resources please do get in touch.
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